called _Inyosi_ or the Bee, her death-like head resting against the
thatch of the hut, and her death-like lips muttering "think of my word
when the great cat purrs above your face."

Then the brute put out its strength. The claws of one paw it drove deep
into the muscles of his left thigh, while with another it scratched at
his breast, tearing the clothes from it and furrowing the flesh beneath.
The sight of the white skin seemed to madden it, and in its fierce
desire for blood it drooped its square muzzle and buried its fangs in
its victim's shoulder. Next moment there was a sound of running feet and
of a club falling heavily. Up reared the leopard with an angry snarl,
up till it stood as high as the attacking Zulu. At him it came, striking
out savagely and tearing the black man as it had torn the white. Again
the kerry fell full on its jaws, and down it went backwards. Before it
could rise again, or rather as it was in the act of rising, the heavy
knob-stick struck it once more, and with fearful force, this time as
it chanced, full on the nape of the neck, and paralysing the brute. It
writhed and bit and twisted, throwing up the earth and leaves, while
blow after blow was rained upon it, till at length with a convulsive
struggle and a stifled roar it lay still--the brains oozing from its
shattered skull.

Hadden sat up, the blood running from his wounds.

"You have saved my life, Nahoon," he said faintly, "and I thank you."

"Do not thank me, Black Heart," answered the Zulu, "it was the king's
word that I should keep you safely. Still this tiger has been hardly
dealt with, for certainly _he_ has saved _my_ life," and lifting the
Martini he unloaded the rifle.